AIM Celebrates Loudoun Valley High School’s “Special Arts” Program June 27-28

Artists in Middleburg (AIM) will display photographer Sarah Huntington’s documentary show celebrating the educational value of arts inclusion at Loudoun Valley High School on Saturday, June 27, and Sunday, June 28, 12-5, 102 W. Washington Street, Middleburg. Go to www.theartistsinmiddleburg.org to find out more information.

Artists in Middleburg, a 501c3 nonprofit, has been working with and supporting the local schools for years and is currently expanding its arts education programs in the area’s public schools.

An LVHS teaching assistant as well as a professional photographer, Huntington spent two months capturing students’ arts engagement and enhanced learning as they painted, sculpted, and made music with fellow students and peer mentors.

A graduate of the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design who has been a teaching assistant at Loudoun Valley for nine years, Huntington explained how the photography series came about.

“I’d worked in Valley’s art classes and been so impressed with what the kids were doing in there.

Then, last Christmas, I attended a Capital Winds concert that featured some of our students and their mentors from the LVHS United Sound program. I was so moved by their joy and performances that I told myself I should document the programs to show how both the visual and performing arts are essential to each and every student’s education,” said Huntington.

For guidance, Huntington turned to special education teacher Ella Hopson, who has focused on supporting students with diverse learning needs throughout her 40-year LCPS career; Matthew Herbert, the Fine Arts department chair; visual art teacher Courtney Kincaid, and Megan Stallings, who has played a key role in Valley’s music inclusion and peer mentor program.